Lead edge feeder wheel for carton making machine

ABSTRACT

A lead edge feeder wheel used in a carton making machine, having a tread for friction contact with a cardboard during rotation to feed the cardboard into the carton making machine cycle by cycle in conjunction with the operation of wheel grids and a vacuum system, and one or multiple grooves extending along the tread for rendering a visual indication when the tread is worn off, avoiding biasing of the cardboard during feeding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to carton making machine technology andmore particularly, to a lead edge feeder wheel for carton making machinethat has grooves on the tread thereof that render a visual indication toremind the operator to replace the lead edge feeder wheel when it isworn off.

2. Description of the Related Art

A regular carton making machine 10, as shown in FIG. 1, generallycomprises a feeding unit 20, at least one printing unit 30, a slottingunit 40 and a die cutting unit 50 for carton paper feeding, printing,slotting and creasing, and die-cutting operations respectively. Further,two or more printing units may be used for two-color or multicolorprinting (one printing unit can only print one single color). The cartonmaking machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 uses two printing units 30 and 30 a.

Subject to the operation of the three rows of feeder wheels 21 and wheelgrids 22 (see FIG. 2) of the feeding unit 20 in conjunction with avacuum system, cardboard 60 is fed into the carton making machine 10.The conveyer system (not shown) is an enclosed greasing system in whichall gearwheels, cams, wheel grid lifting mechanism and interruptermechanism are enclosed, and the speed of the feeder wheels 21 iscontrolled subject to vertical movement of the wheel grids 22.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the feeder wheels 21 are elastic, capableof producing a high coefficient of friction with the cardboard 60. Whenthe machine runs idle (interruption period), the wheel grids 22 are keptin a high position, avoiding direct contact between the cardboard 60 andthe feeder wheels 21. When starting the feeding cycle, the wheel grids22 are lowered from the high position in supporting the cardboard 60 toa low position below the elevation of the topmost edge of each feederwheel 21, allowing direct contact between the cardboard 60 and thefeeder wheels 21. At the beginning of the feeding cycle, the speed ofthe feeder wheels 21 is almost zero, however, the feeder wheels 21 canbe accelerated rapidly to the 100% of the cutting speed of the machineand then kept in this speed during the whole feeding cycle to deliverthe cardboard 60 to the first printing unit 30 in between an uppersheet-transfer wheel 31 and a lower impression wheel 32 that in turntransfer the cardboard 60 into the gap between an upper printing wheel33 and a lower printing wheel 34 for printing a first color of apredetermined pattern. Thereafter, an upper sheet-transfer wheel 31 aand a lower impression wheel 32 a of the second printing unit 30 atransfer the primarily printed cardboard 60 into the gap between anupper printing wheel 33 a and a lower printing wheel 34 a for printing asecond color of the predetermined pattern. Thereafter, the cardboard 60is transferred to the slotting unit 40 where the cardboard 60 is creasedby an upper creaser wheel 41 and a lower creaser wheel 42 and slotted byan upper slotting wheel 43 and a lower slotting wheel 44. Thereafter,the cardboard 60 is transferred to the die cutting unit 50 and cut by anupper die-cutting wheel 51 and a lower die-cutting wheel 52 to removethe unnecessary part. Thereafter, the cardboard 60 is folded up into apredetermined shape through a folding unit (not shown) and properlyglued by a gluing unit (not shown), and thus the desired carbon isobtained.

As the feeder wheels 21 and the cardboard 60 is kept in contact witheach other under a high coefficient of friction, the feeder wheels 21wear quickly with use. The allowable limit of wear of the feeder wheels21 is about 1 mm. If the feeder wheels 21 are excessively worn, thefollowing problems will occur:

1. When the outer diameter of the feeder wheels 21 become short due toheavy wear, the feeding speed become slow, resulting in inaccurateprinting and affecting further slotting and creasing, and die cuttingworks.

2. After a long use in feeding small size cardboards to cause wearing ofthe middle feeder wheels, the lateral feeder wheels may remain intact.When the fabrication is changed to make large size cartons, thecardboard may be biased during feeding due to different frictionresistance between the middle feeder wheels and the lateral feederwheels, affecting further slotting and creasing, and die-cutting works.

As conventional lead edge feeder wheels for carton making machine do notprovide any simple and effective warning design to remind the operatorto get a replacement timely. Therefore, users may replace the feederwheels after 4-6 months in service, or may measure the outer diameter ofthe feeder wheels to check their wearing status. When the outer meter ofone feeder wheel becomes shorter than a predetermined value, the feederwheel is replaced immediately. However, because the machine is notconstantly in operation, a feeder wheel may be replaced too early or toolate. If to replace feeder wheels subject to their diameter change, theuser must frequently measure the outer diameter of the feeder wheels,preventing unaware overwear. Thus, fairly speaking, both the aforesaidmethod methods are not simple and effective scientific methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances inview. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a leadedge feeder wheel for carton making machine, which gives a visualwarning signal to remind the operator to replace the lead edge feederwheel when the tread of the lead edge feeder wheel is worn off, assuringaccurate cardboard feeding.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a lead edgefeeder wheel comprises a tread for friction contact with a cardboardduring rotation to feed the cardboard into the carton making machine,and at least one groove extending along the tread that renders a visualindication when the tread is worn off.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the lead edge feeder wheelfurther comprises an annular wheel body having an outer peripheryforming the tread and an inner periphery opposing the outer periphery, amounting hole surrounded by the annular wheel body, and a flangeextending along the inner periphery of the annular wheel body andradially projecting into the mounting hole.

Further, a plurality of protruding portions are spaced around the innerperiphery of the annular wheel body within the mounting hole andrespectively perpendicularly extending across the flange. The protrudingportions have a thickness greater than the flange. One protrudingportion is splitted in the middle to facilitate splitting of the leadedge feeder wheel.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the lead edge feederwheel further comprises an annular wheel body having an outer peripheryforming the tread and an inner periphery opposing the outer periphery, amounting hole surrounded by the annular wheel body, two beadsrespectively radially extending along two inner liners of the annularwheel body, and a plurality of protruding portions spaced around theinner periphery of the annular wheel body within the mounting hole andrespectively connected between the two beads. One protruding portion issplitted in the middle to facilitate splitting of the lead edge feederwheel.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the lead edgefeeder wheel further comprises an arched wheel body having an outerperiphery forming the tread and an inner periphery opposing the outerperiphery and defining a semi mounting hole, and two wings respectivelyextended from two distal ends of the arched wheel body in directiontoward each other.

The invention has the advantages as follows:

When the groove is worn off after a long use of the lead edge feederwheel, it gives a visual warning signal to the operator, reminding theoperator to replace the worn out lead edge feeder wheel timely so thatthe lead edge feeder wheel can feed a cardboard accurately, avoidingbiasing of the cardboard during feeding or any further processingtrouble.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other and further benefits, advantages and features of the presentinvention will be fully understood by reference to the followingspecification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plain view of a conventional carton making machine.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view in an enlarged scale of a part of FIG. 1,illustrating the arrangement of the feeding unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating a cardboard feeding status ofthe lead edge feeder wheel of the conventional carton making machine.

FIG. 4 is an oblique elevation of a lead edge feeder wheel for cartonmaking machine in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional applied view of the first embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrating the lead edge feeder wheel attached to amating wheel rim.

FIG. 6 is an oblique elevation of a lead edge feeder wheel for cartonmaking machine in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional applied view of the second embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrating the lead edge feeder wheel attached to amating wheel rim.

FIG. 8 is an oblique elevation of a lead edge feeder wheel for cartonmaking machine in accordance with a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional applied view of the third embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrating the lead edge feeder wheel attached to amating wheel rim.

FIG. 10 is an oblique elevation of a lead edge feeder wheel for cartonmaking machine in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional applied view of the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrating the lead edge feeder wheel attached to amating wheel rim.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 4 is an oblique elevation of a lead edge feeder wheel 70 for cartonmaking machine in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 5 illustrates the lead edge feeder wheel 70 attached toa mating metal wheel rim 80. The lead edge feeder wheel 70 is aone-piece elastic wheel made of a synthetic resin having a highcoefficient of friction, such as urethane, polyurethane (PU) or thelike. In this embodiment, the lead edge feeder wheel 70 comprises anannular wheel body 71 having a tread (outer periphery) 72 for frictioncontact with the workpiece (cardboard), and a mounting hole 73surrounded by the inner periphery of the annular wheel body 71 forenabling the lead edge feeder wheel 70 to be mounted on the metal wheelrim 80. The lead edge feeder wheel 70 further comprises an inside flange74 protruded from and extending along the inner periphery of the annularwheel body 71 and radially projecting into the mounting hole 73 forengaging into a locating groove 81 around the periphery of the metalwheel rim 80. Thus, the lead edge feeder wheel 70 is secured to thewheel rim 80 for synchronous rotation. As the wheel rim 80 is of theknow art, no further detailed description in this regard is necessary.

The main feature of the present invention is outlined hereinafter. Thelead edge feeder wheel 70 further comprises at least one groove 75extending around the tread 72. When the groove 75 is worn off after along use of the lead edge feeder wheel 70, it gives a visual warningsignal to the operator, reminding the operator to replace the worn outfeeder wheel timely so that the lead edge feeder wheel 70 can feed acardboard accurately, avoiding biasing of the cardboard during feedingor any further processing trouble.

It is to be noted that the depth of the groove 75 is the maximumallowable limit of wear of the lead edge feeder wheel 70, normally about1 mm.

When the groove 75 is worn off or become shadowed, it means the leadedge feeder wheel 70 must be replaced, otherwise the cardboard feedingspeed will become excessively slow and the follow-up printing will beinaccurate, affecting further slotting creasing and die-cutting works.

Further, the structure of the lead edge feeder wheel may vary with theoperating system used. The aforesaid lead edge feeder wheel 70 isconfigured for use in Sun Extend-O-Feed system. The lead edge feederwheel 70 a shown in FIG. 6 is configured for use in Snap-On system. FIG.7 illustrates the lead edge feeder wheel 70 a mounted on a mating wheelrim 80 a. The lead edge feeder wheel 70 b shown in FIG. 8 is configuredfor use in Prime Shur-Feed system. FIG. 9 illustrates the lead edgefeeder wheel 70 b mounted on a mating wheel rim 80 b. The lead edgefeeder wheel 70 c shown in FIG. 10 is configured for use inLangston/Staley Rotofeed system. FIG. 11 illustrates the lead edgefeeder wheel 70 c mounted on a mating wheel rim 80 c.

In the above description, a lead edge feeder wheel 70 for SunExtend-O-Feed system is described in detail for easy understanding ofthe spirit and scope of the present invention. However, this is not alimitation. Other designs of lead edge feeder wheels 70 a, 70 b and 70 cfor use in different systems can be configured to provide grooves 75 a,75 b or 75 c for use as a visual warning mark for replacement when thelead edge feeder wheel 70 a, 70 b or 70 c is worn off.

Further, the lead edge feeder wheels for different systems arestructurally different. The lead edge feeder wheel 70 a for Snap-Onsystem, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, comprises an annular wheel body 71 a,a flange 74 a extending around the inner periphery of the annular wheelbody 71 a and radially projecting into the mounting hole 73 a that issurrounded by the annular wheel body 71 a, and a plurality of protrudingportions 76 a spaced around the inner periphery of the annular wheelbody 71 a within the mounting hole 73 a and respectively perpendicularlyextending across the flange 74 a. The protruding portions 76 a have athickness greater than the flange 74 a. One protruding portion 76 a issplitted in the middle so that the lead edge feeder wheel 70 a can besplitted from the split 79 a of the protruding portion 76 a.

The lead edge feeder wheel 70 b for Prime Shur-Feed system, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, comprises an annular wheel body 71 b, two beads 77 brespectively radially extending along the two inner liners of theannular wheel body 71 b, and a plurality of protruding portions 76 bspaced around the inner periphery of the annular wheel body 71 b withinthe mounting hole 73 b that is surrounded by the annular wheel body 71 band respectively connected between the two beads 77 b. One protrudingportion 76 b is splitted in the middle so that the lead edge feederwheel 70 b can be splitted from the split 79 b of the protruding portion76 b.

The lead edge feeder wheel 70 c for Langston/Staley Rotofeed system, asshown in FIGS. 10 and 11, comprises an arched wheel body 71 c defining asubstantially semicircular mounting hole 73 c, two wings 78 crespectively extended from the two distal ends of the arched wheel body71 c in direction toward each other for securing to the bottom edge of asemicircular wheel rim 80 c to prevent loosing.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described indetail for purposes of illustration, various modifications andenhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except asby the appended claims.

1. A lead edge feeder wheel used in a carton making machine, comprisinga tread for friction contact with a cardboard during rotation to feedsaid cardboard into the carton making machine, wherein the lead edgefeeder wheel further comprises at least one groove extending along saidtread for rendering a visual indication when said tread is worn off. 2.The lead edge feeder wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lead edgefeeder wheel further comprises an annular wheel body having an outerperiphery forming said tread and an inner periphery opposing said outerperiphery, a mounting hole surrounded by said annular wheel body, and aflange extending along said inner periphery of said annular wheel bodyand radially projecting into said mounting hole.
 3. The lead edge feederwheel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lead edge feeder wheel furthercomprises a plurality of protruding portions spaced around said innerperiphery of said annular wheel body within said mounting hole andrespectively perpendicularly extending across said flange, saidprotruding portions having a thickness greater than said flange, onesaid protruding portion being splitted in the middle to facilitatesplitting of the lead edge feeder wheel.
 4. The lead edge feeder wheelas claimed in claim 1, wherein the lead edge feeder wheel furthercomprises an annular wheel body having an outer periphery forming saidtread and an inner periphery opposing said outer periphery, a mountinghole surrounded by said annular wheel body, two beads respectivelyradially extending along two inner liners of said annular wheel body,and a plurality of protruding portions spaced around said innerperiphery of said annular wheel body within said mounting hole andrespectively connected between said two beads, one said protrudingportion being splitted in the middle to facilitate splitting of the leadedge feeder wheel.
 5. The lead edge feeder wheel as claimed in claim 1,wherein the lead edge feeder wheel further comprises an arched wheelbody having an outer periphery forming said tread and an inner peripheryopposing said outer periphery and defining a semi mounting hole, and twowings respectively extended from two distal ends of said arched wheelbody in direction toward each other.